One in 38 people in Southwark will be homeless this Christmas, research from Shelter reveals.
According to the charity’s latest figures, Southwark had the ninth highest ratio of homeless people in the country.
Figures also show that there are about 3,500 children who are homeless in the borough, which represents 40 per cent of the total homeless population.
Shelter described its latest data as “shocking” and “astounding”. The report estimates that across the country, more than 354,000 people are homeless, including 161,500 children.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “As the country prepares to wind down and celebrate the festive season in our homes, it’s unimaginable that 354,000 will spend this winter homeless – many of them forced to shiver on the wet streets or in a mouldy hostel room with their entire family.”
The charity said the figure had risen by 44,500 people, in just one year, caused by soaring private rents, rising evictions and a chronic lack of affordable social housing.
Ms Neate said: “Parents are spending sleepless nights worrying about their children growing up in cramped and often damaging temporary accommodation, as weeks and months turn into years without somewhere secure for them to call home.
“Until the government builds the social homes needed to end the housing emergency for good, Shelter will be there for people facing the devastation of homelessness.”
Additional analysis by the Liberal Democrats showed that in Southwark, 61 per cent of homeless households with children had lived in temporary accommodation for more than two years, compared to a national average of 45 per cent.
In the South London borough, one in four homeless households with children have been waiting for a permanent home for more than five years.
Temporary accommodation includes hostels, bed and breakfasts, and private accommodation arranged by the council. More than half of those in temporary accommodation have been housed outside of Southwark.
Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition Cllr Victor Chamberlain said: “It is a mark of shame that once again Southwark tops these tables.
“London’s housing crisis is one of Labour’s making – it has been their failure to get enough social and affordable housing built that has forced families with children to live out of suitcases in temporary accommodation for years on end.
“Everyone deserves a safe, affordable, secure home, so it’s devastating to see these levels of homelessness, especially at this time of year.”
A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the figures show the “devastating reality” of the homelessness crisis.
He said: “No one should have to spend Christmas without a home, and this government is taking urgent action to get us back on track to ending homelessness, including committing £1billion in funding to support homelessness services.
“We will go even further to fix these housing challenges by building the social and affordable homes we need as part of our plan for change.”
Southwark council has been approached for comment.
(Picture: PA)
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